2013 NFL Mock Draft: NFL Combine Edition

49. New York Giants
Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State
As NEPD Editor Mike Loyko puts it, if there is a Rob Gronkowski in this draft, his name is Gavin Escobar. Watch him play, you’ll be impressed.

50. Chicago Bears
Alex Okafor, DE, Texas (SCOUTING REPORT)
Okafor is either going to be a boom or a bust for me – he is a violent football player, but I question whether he has the bend to be an effective rusher in the NFL.

52. Minnesota Vikings
Eric Reid, FS, LSU* (SCOUTING REPORT)
If the Vikings have to trade Percy Harvin, they could be looking for a slot receiver here. If not, a big, versatile safety like Eric Reid is just what the Vikes need in their backfield.

53. Cincinnati Bengals
Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson (SCOUTING REPORT)
Yes, two running backs for the Bengals – they need to completely overhaul the position. Ellington is a burner that can hit the homerun from any spot on the field.

54. Miami Dolphins (via IND)
Phillip Thomas, FS, Fresno State (SCOUTING REPORT)
Thomas is a great all-around safety that mad his name snagging a ton of interceptions this year. If he can improve his tackling, look for him to be an All-Pro someday.

55. Seattle Seahawks
Robert Woods, WR, USC* (SCOUTING REPORT)
I like Robert Woods more than most, I’ll admit that. I imagine Pete Carroll jumping at adding the former Trojan, giving Russell Wilson another dangerous weapon that can attack all areas of the field.

56. Green Bay Packers
Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia (SCOUTING REPORT)
Greg Jennings and Donald Driver might have both played their final games in Green Bay. Bailey is an ideal complement to Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb.

57. Houston Texans
Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina (SCOUTING REPORT)
Adding another dynamic player alongside JJ Watt and company would be scary. Williams can play multiple positions and is a tough block one on one.

58. Denver Broncos
Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama (SCOUTING REPORT)
I like Jones as a prospect, but I think he might be due for a draft day slide. Landing in Denver would be a perfect match – both for Jones and Manning.

59. New England Patriots
Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State (SCOUTING REPORT)
I’m going to give Tavon Wilson, Devin McCourty and Steve Gregory their shot and draft a cornerback instead of a safety here. Poyer is a very smart corner that can play inside or outside for New England. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in length and anticipation.

60. Atlanta Falcons
Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU* (SCOUTING REPORT)
John Abraham is hanging them up. Sam Montgomery isn’t that sort of player, but he has the ability to develop into a 8-10 sack guy if he is able to be unleashed by the coaching staff.

61. San Francisco 49ers
Matt Elam, S, Florida* (SCOUTING REPORT)
Elam is a hitter. He isn’t a fantastic cover guy and his size/length is an issue, but he is an intimidator in the back end.

62. Baltimore Ravens
DJ Swearinger, CB/S, South Carolina (SCOUTING NOTES)
Swearinger isn’t a big name yet, but he is a solid defensive back that was asked to do a lot of things at South Carolina. He isn’t Ed Reed – who is – but he will go a long way to softening the blow if Ed Reed isn’t back in Baltimore next year.

The Packers will NOT take Ogletree! He is another soon to be pro who will be out of football in two years. They have Mathews at one OLB and Perry coming back to play the other side. The Packers need INSIDE LBs – 3/4 DE – SS – LT.

Lets make on thing clear. Jarvis jones will not be available in the second round. Then lets deal with the fact that the Lions will not take Warner in the first round, he is dropping on a lot of people boards. He lacks quickness and strength. He is a developing prospect the Lions can not afford to draft. The Lions can not miss on their first nor in their first three picks. Moore, Ansah, Fisher, Warmack, L. Johnson will be their first round pick. the second will be best safety Elam, P. Thomas, etc. Their third round will be either best interior OL or best OLB. Their is a possibility that they can trade up into the second round or into the third round and take the WR from West Virginia.

I like your thought process, evaluations, and willingness to buck much of the conventional thinking and widely reported mocks at this stage in the process. I was completely thrown for a loop with the Robert Woods selection though, I must admit. In all fairness, I’m very down on him and it appears you’re very high, but that was the most striking selection of the first round. Count me in the camp of one of the Dion Jordan lovers though. I’m happy with your Ansah selection for my Browns and this is becoming a popular slot, although I’m a Jordan fan here I much prefer Ansah to Mingo. I don’t like or understand your JJ Wilcox selection to the Browns in the 3rd round. He’s unquestionably outside the top 100 (I would put a 200 # on him but that’s just me) and outside the top 10 at the position. Pretty shocking that you think Browns would take him at 68, although Safety is clearly a need. I’d prefer CB here and hope that Alford slips past Philadelphia at #67 otherwise I would take Darius Slay or Will Davis there. Keep up the good work!

Horrible second pick for the Packers! A little guy (5’9 1/2″) who doesn’t seperate deep. They already have 4 guys (Cobb-Nelson-Jones-Boykin) who are better than Bailey. When your team needs so many other positions they won’t waste a valuable pick on this guy.

I see today that all the top QB’s will be throwing at the combine next week. That should be very intresting. A couple of them must improve their stock after the Sr. Bowl let downs. If they don’t it might drop them to the low 2nd or 3rd rd. A few days ago alot of speculation was what Mallett would be worth in a trade. Seems to me his value could rise or fall in inverse rato to how these youngsters do.
And speaking of QB’s , see Vick was resigned to a 1 year deal? I suspect for trade potential.

I am VERY sure KC stays with Cassel at QB, and,upgrades its back-up , with future starter. BUT not with the 1st pick. I think KC would like to trade out of it but who with?? Raiders, who do not have a 2nd, or Cleveland who does not have a 2nd, ….for 3d,and 1st 2014, 2nd 2015??

Staying with Cassel would be a real surprise to me. Alex Smith will be coming on the trade block I would expect KC to explore that possability first. I believe they have the necessary means to make a deal but will they? Then there is Mallett here in NE whom some are crediting with value enough to at least ask for KC’s 2nd rd pick. Again would KC be interested? Another vet qb, a later rd pick? Who knows but staying with Cassel invites a fan revolt it seems to me.

Love the first two picks in this mock. Hopkins and Poyer would be outstanding additions. Presuming that we are leaving safety alone, I would double down on receiver in the third round with Aaron Dobson, whom I believe is still available in this mock. Round it out with Cameron Lawrence and DeQuinta Jones in the seventh.

His article says that these are all potential first round picks for the Patriots. I certainly hope that’s a typo, and he just meant “picks.” Ugh. The only three I would have on my wish list are Jones and Hopkins. Cooper is a great player, but a luxury pick given the team’s needs (meaning he should probably get measured for a uniform now).

Yes you are right if OG Cooper is on the board, BB drafts talent. Mel Kiper is saying S- Elam to the Patriots at #29, but Kipers track record on Patriots draft picks has been poor.
I still feel BB trades back , with Dallas, Tampa, Bears, etc. for thier 2nd and 4th.

Listening to him on draft day can be described as funny to painful. Pre/ mock drafts are tough but during the draft he so often gives his best remaing players for a team only to have none of them picked. I know I do better then that at least during the top half of the draft.

Hay Steve did you play the Mock drat pick last year?? I did OK 518th in the county, on the 1st round only, out of I quess over 1 mil. players. It’s very hard to know enough about EACH team, as I spend all my time watching the Patriots.

No Russel I didn’t involve myself in that for exactly the reason you note. Trying to keep track of the Pats is job enough for me, doing it for 32 teams is a profession not an activity. This time of year I enjoy this “activity” but I have a number of other intrests that I am not willing to drop. Congrats on being 518 nationally, that’s darn good.
Back in 1968 at a party I claimed I could draft better the the Pats. My friends challanged me to prove it. I’ve been hooked ever since.

Russell a question for you if you will. We both like Vellano, strong, quick, non-stop motor, but at 6-2 285 do you think he fits Bill’s mold for an inside DT or can he play DE in 4-3? Just thinking if Bill wants to go traditional he might go with Gathers or Brandon Williams from Misu so. Would Joe have enough quickness in the pros to consistently get penetration from the inside?

Datone Jones, Brennan Williams and Jonathan Cooper wouls sit well with me, the others I’m only luke warm about. Austin is just to small for my liking, I have nothing against Taylor, Brown or Cyprien other then I feel there are better prospects out there that would fit better this year.

This is a very good Mock, I like WR Hopkins, but not sure he will be on the Board. CB Jordan Poyer is, I feel the best CB, to fit in the New England system, and if BB has him targeted he will go 1st to the Patriots.
I also feel the Patriots take an Olineman early, if Vollmer leaves, an OT type. OG/T Brian Winters as a 2nd pick, or because of an injury, OT Chris Faulk has dropped some, making him a great value with a 3d pick.

Yes I agree but not sure he will go all the way to 91. With his up-side I’d like to see him taken at 59 unless Bill is able to add a pick in 1st half of the 3rd.I realize he may be on pup or even ir this year but like I said, “up-side”.

With a 7th why not? Realize he’s a high risk/high reward kind of guy. Been described as selfish, undisiplined and lots of off field issues. Still if any coach and organization in the NFL can get through to him it’s the Patriots. What a strong saftey he would make If, just If.

Gee Russel, speaking of falling in love with a player yours is Brian Winters. That’s okay, I know mine is Rhodes, but I really think 59 is to high for Winters. Of course if Bill gets additional picks some way or other Winters could find still himself with us.

Yes I like Winters, but I also like OG Cooper, OT Faulk, OG/T Summers-Gavin. Winters is “in yor face” , alot like Mankins !!!
BB is funny that when he targets a guy, he will take him any where in the draft ! Wilson last year a 5th , but BB uses a 2nd. Ebner “undrafted most likely” and BB uses a 5th. BB has a plan, does the work looking at guys and grabs what he wants, Not always right, but more than not, he’s right.

Your assuming Winter is on his must have list. I don’t think anyone knows that except Bill. Some of the others coachs may detect leanings but my guess is nothing is carved in stone in the war room. I love in your face kind of guys, especally on the O-line and would be great if we do draft him but Bill has always graded his drafts by value picks. Ebner and Wilson were exceptions to his normal pratice as far as I can tell. Maybe I’m wrong and have just missed it?

more often than not he’s right?!? Lawrence Maroney, Brandon Meriweather, Chad Jackson, Ron Brace, Darius Butler, Jermaine Cunningham, Terrence Wheatley. This is just the list of first and second rounders from 2006 and later. The “In bill we trust” ship sailed a long long time ago

Poyer best fit for our system? At this point I’m not really sure what our system is. Early on it was sit back, play of, then when Talib and Dennard were starting there was a lot more “in yo face”, challanging receivers. If it’s the latter I think Rhodes the better fit.

BB’s system is CHANGE, and you need very smart players to understand, when, where and who’s doing what on any given D play.
Poyer fits the profile best, other guys are more “in yor face” but are they in the right coverage?

Oh, I see what your refuring to now. I have no infomation at this time on any of these players football IQ’s. What I can go by are how thay play the game, any off field or injury historys, that kind of thing. If you know of a site where they rate the IQ, phych eval kind of stuff, I’d love to check it out.